About 5 pm PST, The Desert Freedom Press learned that under the current “emergency”, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert has suspended ALL officers who filed criminal and ethical complaints against him. This leaves only the four officers who chose to stand with the Chief, despite the controversy and ongoing investigation by DPS. The same officers seen in the “Jennifer Jones arrest” video below. La Paz County Sheriff Don Lowery told the Parker Pioneer Newspaper last week that he had provided back up units to patrol the perimeter of Town Hall during the June 12th council meeting. Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Sheriff Lowery served together as officers on the Colorado Indian Tribes Reservation. Several Sheriff’s vehicles have been seen in the town over the last hour.

Reportedly, the officers are on “house arrest” from 8 am – noon, and 1 pm – 5 pm and have been instructed not to speak with media…(but their families can.)

Update 7/13/2011 – Stewart Rhodes from Oath Keepers has taken up the charge of defending the Constitution against the abuses in Quartzsite Arizona. Rhodes stated, “Full disclosure — I am now the official legal counsel for both Jennifer Jones and for Ed Foster, the Mayor of Quartzsite, Arizona, regarding all of the many well documented abuses of their civil rights, and in particular, their First Amendment protected rights of free speech, assembly, as well as their rights to take part in the political process, by the Quartzsite Chief of Police and Town Council. This is in my individual capacity as a lawyer, not as the President of Oath Keepers. I want to make that clear. But I do see this as part of my responsibility to keep my oath, and in particular the oath I swore as a lawyer, to defend the Constitution. Sometimes the law can indeed be used as a sword of justice, so please wish me luck in helping them hold the town council and the Chief of Police accountable!” For more information and updates about this case visit Oath Keepers[2].

Update 7/12/2011 – E-mail from Jennifer Jones states: “The Parker Police Department, La Paz County Sheriff and Drug/RICO Task Force will reportedly be providing “security” to Quartzsite PD, for tomorrow’s Quartzsite Town Council meeting. The meeting, always held at 7pm, was rescheduled for 10am during Sunday’s illegal meeting to declare an emergency. This is what martial law looks like in small town USA.”

Below is the latest video of the lockout that occurred:

A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Editor’s Note — Breaking: Jennifer Jones, the woman unlawfully arrested in the video below, just sent an e-mail that states the following: “In a secret session, members of the town council, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Sgt. Xavier Frausto, Town Mr. Alex Taft, and illegally appointed Town Attorney Martin Brannan orchestrated an official state of emergency at noon today. Chief Gilbert and Sgt. Frausto came to Mayor Fosters house to escort him to town hall. He told them he wasn’t going anywhere with them on a Sunday. Foster drove to town hall in his own vehicle, after contacting several people, only to find out that town officials convened a special meeting. ‘This is an illegal meeting’ said Foster. The police immediately locked him out of town hall. ”

If anyone has any other information, or ideas for potential solutions, please comment below and we will contact Ms. Jones.

Jennifer “Jade” Jones — had her elbow injured (hospitalized) during this outrageous and mysterious arrest – disorderly conduct – during peaceful statements at public podium during a town council meeting. Jones had the floor. Police chief Jeff Gilbert (positioned at wall) was directly involved. Many in Quartzsite do not understand why this police chief is not under suspension because Arizona State Dept of Public Safety is already investigating him for criminal accusations by officers in his department. Presiding officer of the meeting (Mayor) could not dissuade police from their mission. Many suspect conspiracy between police chief and council members, other than the mayor.